Pharmacist Salary

The main duty of a pharmacist is to make useful medicines, prescribed by doctors, available to the patients. Due to the increasing demand for their skills, the starting salary has seen a steady rise over the years. According to several job market experts, the average salary will continue to grow at a decent pace over the next few years. Even the salary figures in recent surveys have been found to be very impressive.

Job Description of a Pharmacist

Pharmacists do the important task of educating the patients, about which medicine would be useful to cure their illnesses and ailments. They also give quality advise and provide help to doctors and surgeons in the matters related to prescribing medicines to the patients. Once the drug or medicine has been given to the patient, they monitor and carefully observe his medical condition. For those patients who are suffering from minor illnesses, they recommend medicines for a fast and successful recovery. Some also assist the doctors in medical billing and in completing formalities related to claiming of medical health insurance. Duties also include effective management of drugs and medicines in hospitals and health care centers.

After reading this, a question which can arise in your mind is how you can become a pharmacist. In order to become a pharmacist, you should start your preparation from your high school days itself. A bachelor's degree in pharmacy can be the perfect qualification for entering the field of pharmacy. However, the professionals with a master's or doctorate with relevant experience, will be able to grab the best jobs in this field. But, if you wish to enter a reputed pharmacy school, clearing the Pharmacy College Admissions Test (PCAT) with flying colors is a must. After this, you will have to obtain a license from the government authorities. You can consult experienced people in this field to keep yourself updated about the latest education requirements.

Salary Details

The salary largely depends on their number of years of experience, educational qualifications, skills, type of employer and location of job. The average salary of a pharmacist can be in the range of USD 85,000 to USD 110,000 per year for those who have a work experience of one to four years. However, the starting salary can be in the range of USD 70,000 to USD 80,000 per year for those passing out of premier educational institutions.

The median salary for people who have a work experience of one to four years, is in the range of USD 65,000 to USD 95,000 per year. The best paid in this profession are the hospital or inpatient pharmacists, who can earn anything between USD 110,000 to USD 130,000 per year. The salary is more for those working in large hospital chains, than those working for the relatively smaller hospitals. Those working in urban locations and large cities command a much higher salary than those employed in the rural areas.

From the salary, educational requirements and job description, we conclude that this is a fast growing and exciting career option for young graduates and post graduates. Consistency, hard work, dedication and passion for work are the keys to become a successful pharmacist. So, are you ready to take up the challenges in this field?